PAX 260 - Peace Patriots

This course responds to the criticisms that pacifism is unrealistic and unpatriotic. Through cases of applied nonviolence, students will explore the movements and ideas of realistic peacemaking including the first peace societies, internationalism, facing fascism, debating disarmament, confronting cold war, banning the bomb and refusing war. Students will investigate the influence of religion, democracy, social justice movements and the responsibility to protect. Students will analyze evidence to evaluate the thesis that pacifism is pragmatic, patriotic, relevant to the struggle against global terrorism, and can lead to a culture of forgiveness, reconciliation and restorative justice. This course is a reaction to American attitudes primarily, and will offer other perspectives, both from the U.S. peace movement and internationally.

Satisfies the General Education Social Contexts and Institutions and Writing Intensive Requirements.

Credits: 3